CasaSugar

The Card Shop: Fold Cards

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:30:03 -0700

Artist Miro Chun makes her Fold handmade cards sitting in her workshop surrounded by stacks of paper, lengths of wire, and spools of thread. Mini wire sculptures sit on colorful arrangements of paper, creating a motif that is both pared down and full of personality, be it a simple sailboat, a wedding cake, or any number of recognizable creatures including lobsters, frogs, and robots. Her inspiration for these meticulous creations includes her namesake Catalan painter and sculptor Joan Miro, as well as Alexander Calder, known for his wire circuses and mobiles. Send one of these charming cards to a friend, and suddenly "hello" can help someone collect art. I'm loving the Summer style of this five-by-five-inch Boat Card ($11).

The Card Shop: Linda & Harriett Thank-You Note Box Sets

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0700

The expression, "A simple thank you would have been nice," has always baffled me. To me, there is nothing straightforward about saying thank you. When I'm genuine, I want my expression of gratitude to be as tastefully embellished as possible - like a letterpress card.Luckily, stationer Linda & Harriett has made the gesture simple for me, by unveiling some new box sets of thank-you notes in elegant scallop, lace, and swirl prints. Each card is letterpressed with soy-based ink and features the calligraphy of Brooklyn-based Jenna Hein. I'm thinking the swirl pattern is my favorite; I can just see the personality oozing off the 30 percent postconsumer waste paper. A set of six retails for $14.

The Card Shop: Notes to Grow On

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:00:23 -0700

When sending a hand-written note, it always pays to have cute stationery. But, what about multipurpose stationery? Why just send a card, when you can send a small packet of seeds along with it? The Lizard Press Notes to Grow On Set ($25 for 7) features beautiful green illustrations of seven different herbs reproduced from Albert Schramm’s Der Bilderschmuck der Frühdrucke (Germany 1450-1500AD), and adhered to the back of each is a small packet of coordinating seeds. Handsome brick-red type reads the name of the herb, and script indicates the most common uses for each herb. It's a small but heartfelt token to send to your green thumb friends, but who needs presents anyway? Also, check out this plantable card set.

The Card Shop: First Press Note Cards

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:00:19 -0700

Candy-colored butterflies and girl-y medallions are the sort of thing that I love in small doses like the First Press Note Cards ($15-$18). I wouldn't wallpaper my walls with the fluttering creatures, tattoo my butt cleavage with them, or name an album after them, but I'd certainly send a note to a girlfriend with these debossed, lushly designed notecards in their matching envelopes, and I'd be delighted to receive one. And, when all 10 of them have been signed, sealed, and delivered, I can use the decorated box to "wrap" my next eco-chic gift.

The Card Shop: Screen-Printed Bird Enclosure Cards

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:45:00 -0700

If you're attending a birthday, housewarming, or any other party that calls for gift-giving, but you're not close with the host, your best bet is to keep it simple. Pick up a great gift that anyone would love (bottle of wine, flowers, Scrabble!), and enclose a chic, cute gift card or tag. Augment it by sharing a brief sentiment and signing your name. Take this Set of 8 Screen-Printed Bird Enclosure Cards ($10), for example. The ochre birds and branch design on heavy card stock shows that you care, but doesn't cross any boundaries like a hunky shirtless man card might (you know what I'm talking out). Try, "Happy birthday! Hope it's a blast." No one ever complains about short and sweet.

The Card Shop: The Perfect Note

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:15:11 -0700

Inspired by the work of calligrapher Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls (a past collaborator) and their sheer delight in receiving her handwritten notes, the folks at Chronicle Books set out to design The Perfect Note ($24.95). And so they did. The desktop kit is "a stationery-lover's dream," which includes 24 cards and envelopes, an ink pad and stamps, a variety of stickers and labels as well as a 48-page booklet chock-full of tips and templates — all of which are blessed with Imasa-Stukuls's calligraphy skills and Chronicle's unrelenting devotion to good design.

The Card Shop: You Float My Boat Card

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:30:19 -0700

You can never go wrong with a well-designed gocco print card, tagged with a catch phrase or a classic pun. That's why the Paper Wren You Float My Boat Card ($3.50) is just my style. I'm loving the somewhat retro teal anchors and ships; they've got me mouthing "Ahoy There"! Plus, the chartreuse color of the hearts makes any love-dovey notions a notch less saccharine sweet. I also might add that I've always been keen on the folksy tone of "You float my boat." What do you think? Would you mind if this card sailed your way?

Etsy Find: Masked Set of Four Letterpress Cards

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:30:49 -0800

Mardi Gras may be over, but you can still put your mask on with this Masked Set of Four Letterpress Cards ($10) by Sarah Ridgley. The perfect thank you card for the krewe member who invited you to the Endymion Ball. If you're secretly admiring someone from afar, it could also be quite the mysterious (anonymous) note card. Or stock up on them now and start planning your 2009 Gras bash. Just be sure to send me an invitation! I'll bring the crawfish . . .

The Card Shop: Maple Leaf/Thanksgiving Boxed Notes

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:04 -0800

No, it's not tradition to send cards at Thanksgiving. But, take one look at the Dingbat Press Maple Leaf/Thanksgiving Boxed Notes ($24), and you'll be convinced. This gorgeous boxed set of six notes features soft-red maple leaves in varying sizes falling from a vivid-orange maple tree. The notes arrive tied with a ruby-red ribbon, and enclosed in a sturdy chocolate box. So, whether you'll be sending these autumnal notes or just gifting them, you'll be sure to impress.

The Card Shop: Lace Thank-You Notes

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:00:59 -0700

Kate's Paperie's Lace Thank-You Notes ($25 for 6) may be letterpressed with antique lace patterns, but they're certainly not your granny's doilies. On the contrary, they have a modern sophistication that reflects the lace trend that's happening now. I'm loving the sage, navy, and aqua color palette; I'd actually love to snip off the text and frame them together somehow. You know how I do love my paper projects. Unfortunately, the price may be a little steep for some; it may be better to use your personalized stationery. What do you think? What do you have to be thankful for?